Racism still alive and kicking wildly in SA

LAST year President Jacob Zuma reportedly said he would argue against a suggestion by the ANC national executive committee that his party start a debate on race and transformation.

This was after ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema had criticised the racial make-up of Zuma's cabinet.

Malema had questioned why black people were overlooked for key economic and finance portfolios in government.

Malema was tacitly supported by NEC member Lindiwe Sisulu in a radio talk show. Sisulu said there would be an uprising if the issue of black people's access to economic levers of power was not handled properly.

In his overall response Zuma brushed aside Malema's concerns and said the debate on race would take the country backwards. He called instead for a deeper understanding of nonracialism in South Africa.

"The fact of the matter is that the ANC does not look at things from a race point of view. We are a nonracial organisation," Zuma was quoted as saying.

Unfortunately for the president the issue of race and racism continues to permeate our society and punctuate our everyday life.

From the outset what is racism? The Oxford Dictionary defines racism as a belief that some races of people are better than others. It is also explained as unfair treatment of people who belong to a different race.

Now, 20 years into democracy, South Africa - known the world over as the rainbow nation - is still mired in racism.

Just months before Zuma's ascendency to power he was at the centre of a storm after accepting an invite to address a Forum of Black Journalists grouping that had prevented white journalists from attending their function.

White journalists complained vociferously and cried racism, consequently referring the matter to the Human Rights Commission.

Soon after Zuma had spurned calls for a debate on the monster called racism, the University of the Free State was in the news for a racially-motivated assault on black employees by a group of young white students.

As if that was not enough, Zuma's sometime nemesis, Malema, questioned the absence of white South Africans at OR Tambo International Airport to welcome 800m world champion Caster Semenya.

"If Semenya was a rugby player white supporters would have been here. The only white people who are here are journalists. Why are we still divided?" Malema blurted.

Just a fortnight ago Idols judge Mara Louw took a swipe at the reality TV show, saying the competition was full of racism.

Louw said South Africa could only produce a black Idols winner if the pay channel sold the rights to a public broadcaster, the SABC.

According to Louw the voting pattern of the show was on racial lines rather than on talent.

She said blacks voted for blacks, and whites voted for whites, and that blacks were disadvantaged because many could not afford to pay for the DStv, "finish and klaar".

Last month Zuma moved a step closer to debating issues when he agreed to give 5FM DJ Gareth Cliff an audience. Cliff's views on government, to some, bordered on racism.

Is it not time, Mr President, you stopped burying your head in the sand, pretending that racism does not exist?

Racism does exist and needs some space on the national agenda. Otherwise we run the risk of being judged harshly by our history and future.